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Page 2 %u2013 Australian Pork Newspaper, February 2025 www.porknews.com.auTHE Australian Meat Industry Council has released updated standards for the Australian Livestock Processing Industry Animal Welfare Certification System, which now include mandatory video surveillance requirements for accredited processing facilities.AMIC%u2019s acting chief executive officer Tim Ryan said this update reflects industry%u2019s commitment to best-practice animal welfare standards in the meat industry. %u201cThe release of version 4.0 of the AAWCS standards %u2013 which includes mandatory video surveillance systems %u2013 highlights our dedication to ensuring the humane treatment of livestock throughout the processing chain.%u201d%u201cThis technology is already widely embraced by industry and is designed to help processors monitor and validate animal welfare in their facilities.%u201cLivestock processing establishments already address issues associated with food safety and meat quality using sophisticated quality assurance systems,%u201d Mr Ryan said.%u201cAnimal welfare is no different and the application of quality assurance principles ensures a comprehensive approach and assists industry to continually improve and demonstrate animal welfare outcomes.%u201d The updated standards were developed in consultation with the RSPCA, AUS-MEAT, Australian Meat Processor Corporation, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and an independent animal welfare expert. Compliance with these updated standards will become a mandatory component of AAWCS from January 1, 2026.AAWCS, an independently audited certification program established in 2013, ensures adherence to best-practice animal welfare standards from the receival of livestock through to processing. AAWCS accredited facilities include over 80 percent of sheep, cattle and pigs processed in Australia. AMPC said that benchmarking of AAWCS against global standards has previously shown that the program is world%u2019s best practice. AMPC program manager markets and integrity Ann McDonald said: %u201cAMPC is now undertaking a benchmarking project assessing the updated AAWCS provisions against key global animal welfare standards to ensure the standards continue to be recognised as best practice internationally, and that we have the evidence to support that claim.%u201dThe processing sector continues to push the boundaries to ensure industry remains at the forefront of animal welfare. The Casino Food Co-Op is investigating the use of artificial intelligence to support the monitoring of animal behaviour.The Casino Food Co-Op%u2019s Kalani Moss said, %u201cWe are working with the CSIRO team to develop and test the use of AI models in lairage to detect and monitor animal behaviours related to both wellbeing and quality.%u201d%u201cThe project has achieved successful results in identifying if animals are relaxed, drinking and displaying normal behaviours. %u201cWork continues to enhance the detection of animal behaviours where this information can be used for management decisions and ensure best practice,%u201d Ms Moss said.To ensure a smooth transition, AMIC will provide ongoing support and resources to members implementing the updated AAWCS standards. Detailed guidance, including the updated implementation guide, is now available for certified members.To access the updated standards and implementation guide, visit the AAWCS website, aawcs.com.au/standards/ 2025MAR 12-14 %u2013 VIV Asia %u2013 Bangkok, Thailand. https://www.vivasia.nl/MAR 12-14 %u2013 National Pork Industry Forum %u2013 Orlando, Florida. https://porkcheckoff.org/events/2025-national-pork-industry-forum/MAR 24-26 %u2013 2025 National Feral Pig Conference %u2013 Gold Coast, QLD. https://feralpigs.com.au/MAR 25-26 %u2013 London Swine Conference %u2013 London, Ontario. https://www.londonswineconference.ca/APR 8-9 %u2013 Animal AgTech Innovation Summit %u2013 Dallas, USA. https://animalagtech.com/JUN 4-5 %u2013 World Pork Expo %u2013 Des Moines, Iowa, USA. https://www.worldpork.org/JUN 18-19 %u2013 Ontario Pork Congress %u2013 Ontario, Canada. https://www.porkcongress.on.ca/AUG 15-16 %u2013 Kingaroy BaconFest %u2013 Kingaroy, Australia. https://www.kingaroybaconfest.com.au/NOV 17-19 %u2013 APSA Conference %u2013 Melbourne, Australia. https://www.apsa.asn.au/07 3286 1833porknews.com.auHow to supply event details: Send all details to Australian Pork Newspaper, PO Box 162, Wynnum, Qld 4178, call 07 3286 1833 or email design@collins.mediaPork IndustryCalendar of Events%u00a9 Collins Media Pty Ltd %u2013 Contents may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. It is the responsibility of advertisers to ensure the correctness of their claims and statements. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher.| 08 8531 2700 | sales@jacksonsaustralia.com | jacksonsaustralia.com.au%u2022 Animal Shelters%u2022 Feeders%u2022 Silos%u2022 Farm BuildingsEmail editorial@collins.media or call 07 3286 1833Want us to cover your event?Get noticed by key pork industry members! AMIC introduces updated animal welfare standards with mandatory video surveillanceColin and Nonna brought %u2018Get some pork on your fork%u2019 and crackling to life with our signature cheeky humour. The social reels generated a massive 2.1 million views, with an average watch-through time on Instagram that was more than three times our previous social influencer content %u2013 a new high for us.Expect to see Colin and Nonna return for us later in 2025.Strategic partnerships further amplified our message. We joined forces with Gravox and Campbells and harnessed strong relationships with major retailers, butchers and foodservice distributors to create an integrated customer journey from inspiration to purchase and how-to-cook guides.Early campaign tracking results were encouraging, with consumer agreement that pork and ham were %u2018always served at Christmas%u2019 up 7 percent and 6 percent points respectively.And Coles reported increases in roast pork and total pork volume sales when comparing December 2024 with December 2023.As we look ahead for 2025, we%u2019re focused on building on this momentum.In February, we%u2019ll begin the next phase of the %u2018Get some pork on your fork%u2019 campaign to increase demand and sales of pork in stir fry, with integrated efforts from advertising, PR and social influencers to aligned retailer and foodservice activity.In March, we%u2019ll launch an innovative new partnership with the Nine Network to help us spark public conversation and lift awareness that most ham and bacon on shelves is made from imported meat and not Australian, as is commonly presumed. Check the label!And overseas, we%u2019re excited to be supporting fresh Australian pork exports to Singapore. A retail poster campaign is about to begin, running for eight weeks across 172 sites and digital screens outside Singapore%u2019s major retailers. %u2018Flown in fresh, full of flavour%u2019 is the headline, alongside our Australian Pork logo and eye-catching pig with cape icon, animating in flight. Media support in this important export market will be ongoing.With all this and more in the works, it%u2019s set to be an exciting year. Bring on 2025! Rob FarmerAPL CMOA crackling Christmas and exciting new year* from P1THE Australian Meat Industry Council has released an updated version of the stand- ards and implemen- tation guide for the Australian Livestock Processing Industry Animal Welfare Cer- tification System.AAWCS is not regulated by government. It is an independently audited certification program used by livestock processors to demonstrate compliance with the industry best practice animal welfare standards from receival of livestock to the point of humane processing.One key change to the updated standards is a mandatory requirement for video surveillance and monitoring. For pigs this means video monitoring of pigs entering and exiting the gondola where a controlled atmosphere stunning system is used. Under the updated AAWCS, there is no requirement for video surveillance inside the gondola.Compliance with these updated standards will come into effect from January 1, 2026 for all certified AAWCS processing establishments. For more information on the AAWCS program, visit the AMIC website, aawcs.com.au Australian Pork LimitedUpdated welfare standards for processing